Reporter Falls in Love With Shooting

A lot can be said for the merits of going to the range and for shooting in any capacity. It's undoubtedly fun, and can be a real rush, plus it's a very valuable practical skill that could save your life someday. But, according to this story from the Philly Metro, hitting the range can actually make you fall in love.

The story’s author, Cassie Hepler, visited the Philly Gun Range right in the heart of Philadelphia with a friend to see what the range experience was like.

From the story:

“Shooting guns in serious business. Apparently, when you shoot a gun, your body releases oxytocin, the love hormone, along with adrenaline. So you fall in love with a dangerous weapon that can kill someone or yourself. Thus, training is so important.”

Apparently, Hepler—who describes herself as a model, photographer, and writer—fell pretty hard. The duo spent an hour training with the range owner Yuri Zalazman and a pair of Smith & Wesson M&P pistols that Hepler says "look almost fake, are light, black and fit my hand well—even with my 'long thumbs.'"

Once on the range, she was a little rattled by the gunfire in close proximity.

But Hepler didn’t take the S&W to the firing line. Instead, Yuri had her start with a Ruger Mark II .22LR pistol.

Rapidly learning that shirts with sleeves are a good idea at an indoor range, Hepler says one casing hit her in the neck, and another "burnt me as it seared its way down my arm."

The pair called it quits after just a couple rounds, but Hepler writes, “I still have the burn marks, which will fade eventually, and I am not mad about it. And I have, not surprisingly, fallen in love with shooting. But next time, it will be outside. Perhaps in the country, where my roots run deep and guns are plentiful. Maybe if I’m lucky, my dad will even let me in his gun closet, finally!”

Another shooter is born—and sometimes, it only takes a couple rounds. Keep that in mind the next time somebody asks you to take them to the range for the first time.